Ford Vehicles Probed For Stalling On Highway

2/26/2013 10:22 AM ET

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating problems with stalling and/or surging engines in nearly 775,000 Ford passenger cars and SUVs. The government agency and Ford have received 1,500 complaints about the issue. One injury has been reported.

The vehicles affected by the investigation are the 2009 through 2011 models of Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner SUVs and Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan sedans.

According to the NHTSA, the engines do not quit but shift into one of three reduced-power "limp-home" modes. The sudden cut in power can feel to a driver as if the engine stalled.

"Depending on the condition of throttle control system malfunction, a driver may experience varying levels of reduced engine performance associated with three limp home modes. In two limp modes, reduced engine performance may maintain vehicle speeds above 20mph while the third is a limited limp home mode with engine speeds limited to approximately 900 RPM," said NHTSA.

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